Tour Scott McGillivray's Family Home in Ontario

If you know Scott McGillivray of Vacation House Rules, you know he's not only a skilled contractor but a real estate expert and a house-flipping aficionado, too. The man can do it all. So it's no surprise the place he calls home is filled with state-of-the-art finishes, pretty-and-practical build-outs and thoughtful designs. We know you want to take a look around.

Warm weather months in Ontario are limited, but Scott and his family knew building a dedicated outdoor living area was a must. "When we were planning our backyard, we felt it was important to create a space that we could use as much of the year as possible," Scott says. The covered terrace boasts a stunning wood-paneled ceiling (complete with skylights!), which hovers over a large dining table perfect for alfresco family gatherings.

With separate spaces to eat, lounge and play, there's nothing Scott didn't consider while designing the terrace. He even added a stone fireplace so friends and family could enjoy the outdoor room no matter the temperature. "It's a huge bonus," Scott says. Talk about something we didn't know we needed, but don't want to live without.

As is the case for most families, Scott's kitchen is the heart of his family's home. He knew it was essential to have an eat-in kitchen with ample prep space that didn't compromise his open-concept design. The best part? Double islands. "We had the space for two islands, so we decided to go for it, and I'm so glad we did," he says.

This is what we like to call "island living" done right. Even though Scott and his wife, Sabrina, each have their own office spaces, the double islands often act as a joint office space — the perfect place to work or pay household bills together. Scott notes, "The extra space means we can spread out without getting in the way of any food prep that might be going on."

Everyone loves a catch-all room, and Scott is no exception. Although this is the first home he's ever lived with a dedicated mudroom, he says he's never going back. "This is where the kids drop their coats, shoes, bags and all the other stuff kids seem to bring with them," he says. His family also leaves notes and reminders in this room to ensure they have everything they need before they leave the house. Scott really is the king of pretty and practical.

Although he frequently flexes his construction muscles, don't be fooled — Scott has an impeccable eye for design. Take his office, for example. "My office was a true labor of love," he says. "I wanted to do something a bit different, so I decided to lay a penny floor." Installing the flooring was a massive undertaking, but it became a family affair when his kids joined in to help him complete the look. "We made sure to include an area with pennies from years that are special to our family. So while it’s impressive to look at, it also has a lot of special meaning for us."

Scott's wife's happy place is what our hot glue-and-glitter-filled dreams are made of. Sabrina is a kindergarten teacher, so having a space to work and prep craft projects for her students was something she always wanted. "She loves this room — and our kids do, too!" says Scott.

Because Scott and Sabrina both have very demanding jobs — and two very active daughters — they wanted the main bedroom to be a place where they could relax and unwind after a busy day. To achieve this, Scott chose light, neutral colors and soft fabrics. "The minute I set foot in the door I feel more relaxed," he says.